Pin type feeding device



Oct. 12, 1937.. SHERMAN V "2,095,293

PIN TYPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, less s Sheets-Sheet 1 f Y -&IVWQQQVSNTO I? WMTTORNEY Oct. 12 1937.

J. Q. SHERMAN I PIN TYPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1936 :5 Sheet-Sheet 2 Y :9 11v VENTOR Q W m A TTORNEY Oct. 12,1937. Q J. Q. SHERMAN 9 PIN TYPE FEEDING DEVICE Filed 0 1a, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 5 E Q ,,;VE NT R WMVATTORINEY Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 29 Claims.

This invention pertains to strip feeding means for writing, recording and imprinting machines and the like and comprises an adjustable pin type feeding roller for universal use with marginally punched strips of material of different widths.

In feeding relatively wide strips of paper or other flexible material by means engageable only with the margins thereof it is quite desirable to provide supporting means for the material intermediate the points of engagement of the feeding means. The present construction is designed to afford such support while permitting the feeding devices to be relatively adjusted to accommodate material of different widths.

The object of the invention is to provide a pin type feeding device which may not only be economically manufactured but'which will be eflicient in use, uniform in operation, accurate in its feeding action, offew parts and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further and important object of the invention is to provide improved means' for supporting the material being fed adjacent the points of engagement of the feeding means therewith.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for enabling the t elative adjustment of the feeding means while maintaining constant relation therewith of the material support.- ing means. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of pin type roller engageable in marginally punched holes in the strip of material to be fed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of pin type roller adaptable to strips of material of different widths.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved strip supporting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skeleton type of pin type feeding roll.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their intermittent actuating means therefor.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a combined platen and pin type feeding roller embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modification wherein the present adjustable, pin type feeding features are combined with a platen roll.

or roll.

fixed material engaging pins.

Fig. 8 illustrates a portion of a marginally punched strip to be fed. Fig. 9 is a. side e1evation of a conventional imprinting apparatus to which for illustrative purpose the present feed ing device is applied.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The pin type feeding' roller forming the subject matter hereof has a wide application for feeding strip material in association with various types of apparatus. The present application is a continuation in part of copending application Serial No. 683,612, filed'August 4, 1933, wherein the present pin type feeding roller is illustrated as attached to a conventional Addressograph" machine. I

The adjustable feeding devices and correlated strip supporting means may be incorporated in a combined platen and feeding roll as illustrated in Fig. 2 or may comprise strip feeding structure wholly apart from the platenroll feature as is shown in Fig. 1.

The radially projecting feeding pins which are engageable in marginally punchedholes in the strip material may be fixedly mounted in their supporting heads or they may be mounted for reciprocatory movement in radial directions whereby they 'are progressively projected beyond the periphery of the carrying unit or roll as they approach the path of travel of the marginally punched material with which they engage to advance the material a limited distance and are then automatically withdrawn progressively from engagement therewith to positions wholly within the periphery of the rotary carrying member, in unison with the rotation of the pin carrying unit Such construction, per se, forms no part of the present invention but is fully set forth and claimed in United States Letters Patent to Sherman, Nos; 2,000,649; 2,000,650; and 2,000,651, dated May 7th, 1935. v

The skeleton or cage-like construction, shown in Figs. 1 and 3 comprises spaced relatively fixed heads 2 a'ndf3, interconnected with each other at ,circumferentially spaced intervals by a circular series of longitudinal rods 4. This cage-like skeleton structure is mounted upon a supporting and driving shaft 5.

In the drawings, the head 2 is shown provided with reciprocatory disappearing feed .pins 6. Mounted upon the circumferentially spaced iongitudinal rods 4 and axially adjustable thereon and upon a concentric sleeve 8 surrounding the shaft 5, is a second pin wheel unit 9 also carrying a group of reciprocatory disappearing feed pins 6. The feeding units 2 and 9 are relatively adjustable in an axial direction by movement of the latter toward and from the former upon the supporting rods 4 and sleeve 8 into agreement with marginal feeding holes in the material strip to be fed. Located intermediate the pin wheel units 2 and Q are discs it] also axially adjustable to and fro upon the rod l and sleeve 8 in spaced relation with each other and with the pin type feeding units 2 and 9. These discs Ill serve to support the marginally punched material being fed intermediate the points of engagement with the feeding units.

For illustrative purposes, there is shown in Fig. 4 a transverse section through one of the pin type feeding units wherein the rotary carrier member is provided with a plurality of radial grooves or guides in which the pins 6 are located for reciprocatory movement.

Interiorly of the rotary carrier element there is stationarily mounted an eccentric cam II. The reciprocatory pins 6 are provided adjacent to their inner ends with lateral notches 6a which engage over a marginal flange upon the cam H about which they are carried by rotation of the carrier member. The progressive travel of the pins 6 about the eccentric cam member I! causes the pins to be successively projected beyond the periphery of the carrying member and thereafter retracted wholly thereinto. The eccentric cam l I is so positioned that the position at which the pins are extended beyond the periphery of the carrying member will be substantially coincident with the path of travel of the marginally punched material to be fed.

The control cams Ii within the pin type units 2 and 9 are secured to the sleeve 8 which in turn is provided with a bifurcated arm l2 by which the concentric sleeve 8 and pin control cams ll carried thereby are held stationarily while the group of mounting rods 4 and the pin carrying heads 2 and 9 and the intermediate supporting discs iii rotate relative thereto. To effect such rotation, the pin wheel unit 2 is provided with a hub I3 secured to the shaft 5 by a set screw it. Thus the pin wheel units, together with the assembly of rods 4 and discs l0 rotate as a single unit, carrying therewith the pins 6 of the respective heads 2 and 3 which are caused to travel about their corresponding control cams II which are held stationarily by the sleeve 8 and arm l2.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a modification wherein a pin carrying platen roll 15 and the skeleton feed roll are combined. in a single unit. In this construction, a portion of the roll comprises a platen i5 having at one end thereof the pin carrying head 2. Projecting from the opposite end of the platen section i5 is the series of circumferentially spaced mounting rods 4 carrying at their extremities the mounting head 3. Slidingly adjustable upon the rods 4 intermediate the terminal head 3 and the platen section I5 is a pin wheel unit 9 axially adjustable toward and from the platen roll section IE to accommodate marginally punched material of different widths. Intermediate the pin wheel unit 9 and the platen roll section !5 is a supporting disc Ill also axially adjustable as before described for supporting the portion of the strip of material beyond the end of the platen roll.

While disappearing pins, as heretofore described, are quite desirable for certain conditions of use, they are not, however, essential for operation of the present apparatus and the radial feeding pins 6 may be fixedly mounted in their respective carrying heads as is shown in Fig. 6.

The adjustable pin type roller forming the subject matter hereof is applicable to a wide variety of operating mechanism for uniformly ad- Vancing a strip of material either continuously or intermittently past an operating position.

For illustrative purposes but with no intent to limit the scope or application of the invention, it is shown in Fig. 1 mounted upon the edge of a table l6 over which a strip of series punched material is to be advanced. The actuating mechanism shown is adapted to impart to the pin type feeding roller successive rotations induced by a rock shaft ll beneath the table I6 which may be actuated by the operation of the imprinting or any other associated power mechanism.

A rock arm I 8 upon the actuating shaft ll engages in a bifurcated arm [9 upon a second rock shaft 20 projecting beyond the margin of the table l6 where it carries an arm 2! supporting a stud 22 having at its extremity a swivel head 23. A link 24 connects the swivel head 23 witha second swivel head 25 upon one arm of a bell crank lever 26 carried by a rock shaft 21 mounted in suitable brackets 28.

The link 24 is detachably connected with the bell crank lever 26 by a retractable spring plunger 29. The swivel heads 23 and 25 accommodate the interconnecting link 24 to the differential rocking movement of the arms 2| and 26 in transverse planes.

For transforming rocking motion of the bell crank lever into rotary motion of the strip feeding roll there is provided upon the roll shaft 5 beyond the supporting bracket 28 a pawl and ratchet mechanism 30 actuated by a reciprocatory rack bar 3| variably connected with the bell crank lever 26 for adjustment toward and from its fulcrum. As the lever rocks in one direction it actuates the rack bar and ratchet mechanism idly, but upon the return motion it causes the pin type feeding roller to be rotated in unison with such return motion. A screw stem controlled by a crank handle 32 on the extremity of the bell crank lever serves to adjust the connection 33 of the rack bar 3! with the bell crank lever toward and from the center of oscillation of the latter to thereby vary the stroke of the reciprocatory rack bar and correspondingly transmit at each operation a greater or less rotary motion to the feeding roller. Thus the feeding movement of the roller may be increased or diminished at will, thus enabling the strip to be accurately advanced thereby through predetermined successive travel movements.

A knob 33 upon the roller shaft 5 enables manual adjustment of the roller as may be necessary. As the roller is turned, the feed pins 6 progressively engage series spaced holes 35 in the strip 36 to draw the strip over the table Hi. The table l6 shown in Fig. 1 is a portion of an Addressegraph imprinting apparatus, which is more fully illustrated and described in the parent application, Serial No. 683,612, to which reference is made, and of which the present is a continuation in part. As therein shown and described, the brackets 28 are detachable from the table, and the feeding mechanism forming the subject matter hereof comprises a unitary attachment, which may be applied and removed at will.

It is to be understood that the present feeding device is applicable to a wide range of mechanisms wherein a continuous strip of material is to be fed past an operating position, including various forms of imprinting and recording ap-' paratus, computing, tabulating. and billing machines, typewriters and the like and that the association with a conventional "Addressograph machine as herein shown and described is for illustrative purposes. Such apparatus includes a support 31 for a supply packet of strip material from which the strip is drawn past an imprinting position intermediate an oscillatory presser member or platen 38 and a type plate 39 which has been fed to imprinting position from a magazine 40 by a reciprocatory conveyor 4| beneath the table l6 carried by a slide frame 42 connected bya pitman 43 with an actuating crank 44 on a shaft 45 which is driven by the motor 46. The type plates 39 are automatically advanced one at a time to cooperative relation with the movable platen 3B and after being impressed against the paper by the movable platen 38 they are discharged into a receiving compartment beneath the table.

From the above description 'it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and that' the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or.modiflcations within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

, such pin wheel unit being slidable to and fro on Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a strip feeding device, a skeleton roll including concentric axially spaced pin wheel units engageable progressively in series punched holes in a. strip to be fed, a plurality of parallel spaced rods extending, intermediate the pin wheels in concentric series, and a spacer member interconnecting the plurality of rods intermediate the pin wheel units.

[2. In a strip feeding device, a skeleton roll in-- cluding concentrically disposed pin wheel units,

relatively adjustable toward and from each other, and progressively engageable in series punched holes in a strip to be fed, a. plurality of parallel spaced rods extending intermediate the pin wheel units, at least one of the units having spaced holes therein through which the rods extend,

said rods.

3. In a strip feeding device, a skeleton roll including, concentrically disposedpin wheel units fi relatively adjustable toward and from each other holes in a strip to be fed, afeed shaft to which and progressively engageable in series punched relatively adjustable toward and from each other,

, a 'plurality'oi' parallel spaced rods extending intermediate the pin wheel units, at least one of the pin wheel units being axially adjustable relative to the rods.

5. A strip treating apparatus relative to which a strip to be treated is progressively advanced including motion transmitting means, characterized by a pin type feeding device the pins of which are progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in the strip, located in oifset relation to the apparatus in the direction of travel of the strip, a plurality of relatively spaced rods disposed transversely to the path of travel of the strip upon which the pin type feeding device ls mounted for to and fro lateral adjustment into agreement with the succession of holes, and an operative connection between the pin type feeding device and the motion transmitting means of the strip treating apparatus for intermittently actuating the pin type feeding device by actuation of said apparatus.

6. In a pin type feeding apparatus for series punched material a pair of relatively spaced pin wheels mounted for axial adjustment one toward the other, a material supporting disc interposed between the pin wheels and supporting means -therefor on which the pin wheels and discs are mounted for unison rotation and for axial adjustment relative thereto.

'7. In a pin type feeding apparatus for series punched material, a plurality of concentrically disposed relatively spaced pin wheels and material supporting discs arranged in spaced relation for unison rotation and common mounting means therefor on which the pin wheels and discs are axially adjustable. i

8. In a pin type feeding device for marginally punched material ,a plurality of concentrically disposed rotary pin wheels and a plurality of rotary discs disposed in concentric spaced relation with the pin wheels and common supporting a means upon which the pin wheels and discs are carried for unison rotation.-

9. In a pin type feeding apparatus for series punched material, a pair of relatively spacedconcentric pin wheels and a circular series of spaced rods extending fromone pin wheel to the other and rotating in unison with the pin wheels.

10. In a strip feeding apparatus a pin type feeding device including a traveling series of feeding pins following a circuitous path of travel and progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material to be fed and a plurality of parallel spaced rods within the orbit of the traveling pins upon which the pin type feeding device is slidingly adjustable into different strip feeding positions. V 11. In a strip feeding apparatus a pin type feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes'in a strip of material to be fed, and mounting means therefor including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidin'gly adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions.

. 12. In a strip feeding and imprinting apparatus wherein an impression receiving strip is. progressively advanced past an imprinting positipn at which it receives successive different legends predetermined by a plurality of individual legend' determining members automatically advanced seriatum'from a source of supply into operative position and having motion transmitting means,

' characterized by apin type feeding device mounted in offset relation with said imprinting apparatus and including a traveling series of feeding pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed, a mounting frame therefor comprising relatively fixed spaced heads and a plurality of parallel spaced rods interconnecting the heads upon which the pin type feeding device is mounted for to and fro sliding adjustment toward and from the respective heads to accommodate the feeding device to strips of material having their successions of longitudinally spaced holes differently positioned transversely of the apparatus, and an operating means for actuating the traveling pins by the motion transmitting means of the apparatus.

13. An attachment for a strip treating appa' ratus including a detachably mounted frame comprising terminal heads and a plurality of parallel spaced rods interconnecting the heads, a series of traveling feeding pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material for advancing the strip past an operating position of the strip treating apparatus, mounting means for the pins transfixed by said rods and adjustable thereon to present the pins in different strip engaging positions, one of said rods being revoluble and serving as a driving shaft for actuating the traveling pins, and means for rotating the said revoluble rod in synchronism with the operation of the strip treating apparatus.

14. In a structure of the" character described, a frame including a plurality of parallel spaced rods, spaced terminal heads interconnected by the rods and a pin type feeding device mounted on said rods for to and fro sliding adjustment between the heads, and beyond which the spaced rods extend, a rotary shaft having operative driving engagement with the pin type feeding device in any one of its several positions of adjustment and means for transmitting rotary motion to the shaft.

15. In a strip feeding apparatus, a pair of spaced pin type feeding devices including traveling series of pins engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed, a series of parallel spaced rods extending intermediate the pin type feeding devices substantially from one such feeding device to the other-for supporting the strip being fed adjacent to the point of engagement of the feeding means therewith, and means for transmitting travel motion to the feeding pins.

16. In a strip feeding apparatus, a pair of spaced pin type feeding devices including traveling series of pins engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed, a revoluble circular series of parallel spaced rods extending intermediate the pin type feeding devices from one such device to the other and rotatable in unison with the travel motion of the pins for supporting the strip being fed adjacent to' the point of engagement of the feeding means therewith, and actuating means for rotating the series of rods in unison with the travel motion of the pins.

17. In a strip feeding apparatus, a pin type feeding device including a series of traveling pins I engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in' a strip to be fed, a series of parallel spaced rods extending through the pin type feeding device and on opposite sides thereof upon which 'the pin type feeding device is mounted for lateral adjustment into agreement with longitudinally spaced holes of different strips, 2. drive shaft for the pin type feeding device, and means for rotating the shaft to transmit travel motion to the feeding pins. l.

18. In a strip feeding apparatus, a pin type feeding device including a series of traveling pins engageable in longitudinally spaced holes in a strip to be fed, a revoluble circular series of parallel spaced rods extending through the feeding device and on opposite sides thereof for supporting the strip being fed adjacent to the point of engagement of the feeding means therewith, and actuating means forrotating the series of rods in unison with the travel motion of the pins.

19. In a strip feeding device a pair of laterally spaced pin type feeding devices relatively adjustable toward and from each other and progressively engageable in series punched holes in a strip to be fed, a feed shaft with which said pin type feeding devices are operatively and adjustably connected, and a revoluble series of parallel spaced rods extending between the pin type feeding devices and traveling in unison therewith to prevent sagging therebetween of the strip to be fed.

20. A strip feeding apparatus wherein a continuous record strip having therein a succession of spaced feed holes is advanced past an imprinting position of an apparatus having a movable platen and coacting imprinting means characterized by a pin type feeding device located in offset relation with the imprinting means and movable platen in ,the direction of travel of the strip, and mounting means for-the pin type feeding means including a plurality of parallel spaced rods disposed transversely of the path of travel of the strip upon which the pin type feeding device is laterally adjustable to accommodate different record strips and interconnecting operating means for actuating the pintype feeding device in synchronism with the movable platen.

21. A strip feeding attachment for an imprinting apparatus wherein a record strip having therein a succession of longitudinally spaced feed holes is progressively advanced past a movable platen and coacting imprinting means of said apparatus to receive successive impressions thereon, characterized by a pin type feeding device detachably mounted in offset relation with the movable platen and coacting imprinting means, a plurality of parallel spaced rods disposed transversely of the path of travel of the strip upon which the pin type feeding device is laterally adjustable, one of said rods comprising an actuating shaft therefor having driving engagement with the pin type feeding device in various positions of adjustment thereof and operatively connected with the imprinting apparatus for actuating in synchronism therewith.

22. In astrip feeding and imprinting appara tus wherein a continuous strip of impression receiving material is progressively advanced past an imprinting position where it receives at spaced intervals different legends predetermined by a plurality of legend determining members automatically advanced from a source of supply into operative position, a strip feeding apparatus composed of a pin type feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material to be fed, and mounting means therefor including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidably adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, said strip engaging pins following an endless path exteriorly ofthe parallel spaced rods.

23. In a strip feeding and imprinting apparatus wherein a continuous strip of impression receiving material is progressively advanced past an imprinting position where it receives at spaced intervals different legends predetermined by a plurality of legend determining members automatically advanced from a source of supply into operative position, a strip feeding apparatus composed of a pin type-feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of material to be fed, and mounting means therefor including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidably adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, said strip engaging pins following an endless path surrounding the parallel spaced rods, one of which rods acting as a driving means for the strip engaging pins.

24. In a strip feeding and imprinting apparatus wherein a continuous strip of impression receiving material'is progressively advanced past an imprinting position where it receives at spaced intervals different legends predetermined by a plurality of legend determining members automatically advanced from a source of supply into operative position having a movable platen, a pin type strip feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of paper to be fed, mounting means in offset relation to the platen including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidably adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, one of said parallel rods acting as driving means for the strip engaging pins and being operatively connected to the movable platen, for actuation thereby.

25. In combination with a type imprinting machine wherein a continuous strip of impression receiving material is progressively advanced past an imprinting position where it receives a succession of imprinted legends predetermined by a plurality of legend determining members automatically advanced from a source of supply into operative position and having a movable platen, a pin type strip feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holesin a strip of paper to be fed, mounting means in offset relation to the platen including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidably adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, one of said parallel rods acting as driving means for the strip engaging pins and being operatively connected for operation in synchronism with the type imprinting machine. a

26. In combination with a type imprinting machine wherein a continuous strip of impression receiving material is progressively advanced past an imprinting position where it receives a succession of imprinted legends predetermined by a plurality of legend determining members automatically advanced from a source of supply into operative position and having a movable platen, a pin type strip feeding device including a traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip of paper to be fed, mounting means in offset relation to the platen including a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidably adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, one of said parallel rods acting as a driving means for the said pin strip engaging means, and said type imprinting machine and pin type strip feeding means having common driving means for synchronous operation thereof.

27. In a strip feeding attachment for an imprinting machine, wherein succeeding portions of a plurality of superposed record strips having therein longitudinally spaced feed holes are adjusted andaligned relative to each other into registering relation during their advancement into imprinting position by engagement of a pin type feeding device in successive longitudinally spaced holes, the combination 'of a plurality of said strips with a pin type feeding device, including an endless traveling series of strip engaging pins progressively engageable in succeeding longitudinally spaced holes in the strips and a carrier therefor, mounting means for the pin type feeding device comprising a plurality of parallel spaced rods upon which the pin type feeding device is slidingly adjustable laterally into different strip feeding positions, in each of which the strip engaging portions of the pins follow a circuitous path of travel exteriorly of the plurality of spaced rods, one of which serves as a drive shaft for the pin type feeding device in each of its positions of adjustment.

28. In a strip feeding attachment for an imprinting machine, wherein succeeding portions of a plurality of superposed record strips having therein longitudinally spaced feed holes are adjusted and aligned relative to each other into registering relation during their advancement into imprinting position by engagement of a pin type'feeding device in successive longitudinally spaced holes, the combination of a plurality of said strips with a pin type feeding device, in-

cluding an endless traveling series of strip engaging 'pins progressively engageable in succeeding longitudinally spaced holes in the strips, and following a circuitous path of travel, .a plurality of parallel spaced rods disposed transversely of the path of travel of the strips upon which the pin type feeding device is mounted, one of said rods comprising an actuating shaft therefor in unison with the rotation of which the series of pinsis advanced. I

29. In a strip feeding attachment for an imprinting machine, wherein a plurality of superposed record strips having marginally punched spaced feeding holes in at least'one margin thereof, succeeding portions of whichare relatively adjusted into registering and aligned relation during advancement thereof into an imprint position of the machine, the combination with a plurality of said strips of a pin type feeding device 

